Only three of the eight candidates for
Palmyra Borough Council are incumbents, and the newcomers mostly say
they have no particular problem with the way the borough recently has been run, but they think they can offer a fresh perspective.

Six candidates are running for four
seats in the Republican primary for a four-year term: incumbent Pat Hennessey, incumbent Mark Smith, Ray Andreno, Scott
Mazzocca, Leon Nissley and Joseph Templin.

Two candidates are running for one seat
in a two-year term: incumbent Robert Dailey and Beth Shearer.

Borough Council recently
voted to build a new, $3.2 million municipal building rather than
renovate the old one. It's a decision most of the candidates appear
to agree with, since estimates put the cost of renovating higher than
building new.

Stormwater has
been a problem in the borough for decades, and the council has been
trying to make some movement toward partial solutions, including more
retention basins. A plan to send some of the water to wetlands in the
Ridge Road Park is on hold, since it would require building pipes
across a private development.

Borough Council members
have been talking about getting greater control of rental properties,
which now number nearly half of the households. Borough officials have
vowed to crack down on landlords who have not passed on the names of
their tenants to the borough.

Borough officials
also have started going after residents who have not paid their sewer
bills, sometimes for decades, by threatening to cut off their water
if they don't pay up.

Despite the number
of issues facing the borough, the race has been fairly low-key. Most
candidates say they will wait to get on council so they can study the
issues in greater depth before making decisions.

Instead,
they hope voters will
look at their backgrounds and willingness to listen in deciding how
to cast their votes.

Four-year term

Ray Andreno, 64, spent 25 years
in the financial industry, including as CEO, in the greater
Washington, D.C., area, then started a second career as a professional
fire chief. He is retired, and moved to the borough two years ago. He
is safety officer for the Citizen's Fire Company and a member of the
western Lebanon County Regional Emergency Management Agency.

“I feel there is a need for somebody
with executive management experience and a strong financial
background,” he said. Andreno said he has heard from some business
people who feel council doesn't pay enough attention to businesses,
he said.

Mark Smith, 39, is a production
and sales manager for Deimler & Sons Construction in Harrisburg.
He has lived in the borough for four years, and was appointed to the
zoning hearing board one week after he moved in, having previously
served on a similar board in Hummelstown. He won an uncontested
election for a two-year term two years ago.

“Being as young as I was, I thought I
could bring a fresh perspective,” he said.

Leon Nissley, 60, retired at the
end of the year after 34 years of working for the borough's road
maintenance department, including five years as roadmaster. He has
lived in the borough for 41 years.

“I have a willingness to listen to
citizen complaints and concerns,” he said.

Pat Hennessey, 57, has worked
for the Swatara Township Authority for 37 years. He has lived in the
borough since 1977. He was appointed to a vacancy on Borough Council
in February 2007, and ran successfully in 2008 and 2010. He has
served on the recreation committee, the 250th anniversary
committee and the fire service commission.

“I think people know who I am,” he
said. “I want to stay on council to finish some things we started.”

Scott Mazzocca, 37, grew up in
Palmyra,, has a background in sales, and now owns a restaurant in
Londonderry Square. He said he gets to listen to a lot of people in
the community as a restaurant owner. He is the son on the late Rich
Mazzocca, longtime Borough Council member and mayor.

“I guess it's in the blood,” he
said. “I want to do my part to continue the growth and prosperity
in the area.”

Joseph Templin declined to
comment.

Two-year term

Robert Dailey, 52, is a
consultant for Occupational Health and Safety, with an emphasis on
mining. He has lived in the borough for 19 years, and was appointed
to a vacancy on the board in December.

“I like to think
I bring a level-headed business approach,” he said.

Beth Shearer, 37, does
neurological testing for Pennsylvania Neurological Associates in
Lemoyne. She is president of the Palmyra Area Heritage Association
and served on the 250th anniversary committee. She grew up
in the Palmyra area and has lived in the borough for nine years.

“I've met a lot of people through
community events, and I wanted to have an impact on the borough,”
she said.

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